ROCKLAND — A passerby was first in reporting a single-vehicle crash at 126 Pleasant Street, in Rockland, on May 3, 2024, but the homeowner was close behind.

According to responding police officers, the occupants of the house heard two large bangs before venturing outside at approximately 1:15 a.m., and finding a corner of the house damaged, one of their cars scraped up, and pieces of a utility pole swinging haphazardly. The house itself is set back further from the road than its neighbors.

The driver had left the scene, leaving only multiple tire marks and some auto debris to guide PD in their attempts to piece together a story of who, what, and how. In that debris, however, was clear evidence that the vehicle is now missing a taillight, has heavy grill damage, and is likely a Ford pickup.

Because of wires across the road between the Broadway entrance to Pleasant Street and the small Luce Ave, and to check the integrity of the house structure, the fire department was called. Central Maine Power arrived at about 2 a.m., and Public Works arrived with barriers for the roadway. 

Hit and runs and utility pole damage caused by single-vehicles are not uncommon in Knox County, keeping responders busy at all hours of the day and night.

Earlier in the night, at approximately 9 p.m., Thomaston EMS, fire, and police were called to the Oyster River Road, just before the bridge, for a single-vehicle rollover. No injuries were reported and the vehicle, which was well off the road but in a dangerous traffic area, was hauled away soon after, by Creek Hill.

At approximately 3 a.m., Rockland FD was called to the Salvation Army for fire alarms. After investigation, they found a burst pipe.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com